The Ron Paul-Republican who helped mastermind a stunning upset at the 1st Congressional District Assembly is a former Democrat who once proposed confiscating all city property owned by suburban residents and giving it to city residents.

That’s what Chris Maj told a Rochester, N.Y, newspaper when he ran for mayor in 2005 on the Democratic ticket.

Chris Maj wants Rochester to form its own militia. He wants us to stop paying state and federal taxes. He wants Rochester to become the capital of a new 51st state. He wants to annex the suburbs. And he’s running for mayor.

Maj laughed when I read him that paragraph from City Newspaper, a free weekly paper in Rochester. (The entire story is right here.) Maj, now 33, said he’s changed since then, particularly his economic philosophies.

Maj played a key role in “nonestablishment” delegates at the Denver County Assembly being elected to the 1st CD assembly and state convention, and consequently onto the Republican National Convention.

“The potential for conflict between the roles as candidate and chairman is simply too great,” he wrote in his resignation letter.

Stroud’s resignation comes five days after he unexpectedly drew a primary opponent, Richard Murphy. Murphy’s candidacy was aided by the large turnout of Republicans at the 1st District Assembly last week who backed presidential candidate Ron Paul and Rick Santorum.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.